AP headlines served up with the check at Washington eatery

Every weekday, PR Daily associate editor Alan Pearcy highlights the day’s most compelling stories and amusing marginalia on the Web in this, #TheDailySpin.

When the Starbucks barista asks me if I want my receipt with my morning Blonde Roast, I feel as if I’m not only saving myself and the dozens in line behind me precious time, but also saving paper by graciously declining. However, for anyone in Washington, D.C., don’t be so quick to pay that check. At the capital’s historic oyster bar, the Old Ebbitt Bill Grill, diners and tourists are now being offered the latest Associated Press news and headlines with their meal checks. (via DCist)

Speaking of Starbucks, a woman in the Seattle-based coffee chain’s hometown of Seattle has pledged to live on nothing but its food and beverage for one year. According to Eater Seattle, the challenge is yet another of the woman’s similar yearlong promises for her blog, 1 Year of My Life. In 2012, she attempted to heed all of the advice in Parenting magazine, while in 2011, she shopped only at Goodwill.

Good thing she opted against shopping solely at Abercrombie & Fitch or the Gap, as both retailers have found their way onto Forbes listing of 10 stores consumers might not be shopping at in 2013 due to widespread cuts and closings.

Condé Nast is also making cuts—that is, cuts into its writers’ share of the compensation made off of various film projects. The New York Times reports that the publisher has issued new contracts that relinquish its writers and their agents’ exclusive rights to negotiate movie and television deals and developments based on stories from its magazines.

It appears a different kind of development seems to be forming between Budweiser and Pepsi. The two beverage distributors are seemingly working together on joint promotions and in-store marketing ahead of Super Bowl XLVII in an alliance looking to take down rival Coca-Cola.
Other game day advertisers risk compromising the surprise of their costly spots, or so Advertising Age suggests. According to Brian Steinberg, more brands are looking to social media to garner more bang for their 4 million bucks—teasing their spots through the likes of YouTube—yet these efforts jeopardize lowering their audiences’ excitement come Super Bowl Sunday.

Maybe they should learn a thing or two from Steven Spielberg. The director surprised viewers of Sunday’s Golden Globes telecast with a cameo by former President Bill Clinton, who introduced Spielberg’s film “Lincoln” as one of the best motion picture nominees. But how’d he do it? E! Online explains.

Explanation is difficult as investigators probe the unexpected suicide of 26-year-old Reddit co-founder Aaron Swartz. In a story on Gawker, friends and family share their touching remembrances of Swartz.

Sadly, secondhand smoke has also taken all too many unexpected lives. Trend Hunter highlights a new campaign by Share Air urging restaurant owners in Texas to go smoke-free. The ads depict various food items made entirely of cigarettes, accompanied by captions such as: “Secondhand smoke is ruining the experience for some of your guests. That’s costing you money.”

Kicking the habit is one thing; kicking up your PR skills is another entirely. Social Media Today’s Carrie Morgan addresses the latter, explaining how industry professionals can use social media to help create a rocking media list.

Creating a winning meme might take a bit more work. Mashable shares an inforgraphic from Pelican PR that illustrates precisely how to cook up these viral wonderments. One word: cats.

Memes make me anything but bored at work, but a little office monotony might not be all bad. LiveScience reported on new research that suggests boredom on the job could be just the creative boon your company needs to spawn new workplace solutions.

Is there something you think we should include in our next edition of #TheDailySpin? Tweet me @iquotesometimes with your suggestions. Thanks in advance.